Ball Joint Rivets

[Joe S.]

Can Ball-Joint Rivets be done on a press? OR do you need a special tool (Big Hammer and a block!).

And from a judging standpoint does it really matter if the ball-joints are replacements anyway? In other words, is it worth the effort?




Joe's 63 FI Convertible

[Mike M.]

Re: Ball Joint Rivets

Most NAPA-type stores can supply a tool to remove the "hog rings" that retain the door/window/lock handles Gm utilized beginning in 1949 and clear up thru at least the 80's. good luck, mike

[Mike M.]

Re: Ball Joint Rivets *NM*

[Mike M.]

Re: Ball Joint Rivets

Sorry guys. this should have been posted one down. mike

[Rob A.]

Re: Ball Joint Rivets

There is a shop in my area specializing in mid-year restoration, Automotive Expertise. The owner has a press set up to install rotor to hub rivets and ball joint rivets. He has a setup to create the "mushroom" look. He did my rotors and they look like factory installed. He is in Huntington Beach, CA. If you're interested I'll give you his phone #. He does quality work. The other way that I am aware of is getting the rivets "red hot" and while they are soft hammering or actually revetting them in with the proper shaped tool. I prefer the first method. Ask whoever does them for you to show you what they will look like when done before you have them do it. Not everyone realizes what they are supposed to look like.

[Joe S.]

Re: Ball Joint Rivets

I have spoken with VanSteel who has done other work for me and they also offer riveting them on. Assuming they also do a good job, I'm still curious from a judging perspective if it is worth it if the ball-joints are not NOS.

Thanks...




Joe's 63 FI Convertible

[Terry F.]

Re: Ball Joint Rivets

This is what I would do. Most of the time, the lower ball joint takes a beating. The upper one tends to survive better. Check the uppers and lowers closely for play and condition of rubber boot. It may be that the uppers are ok. If the lowers are shot, replace them. There are several places out there that can put the rivets back in. Just send the A-frames to them and they will take care of it. "Rivets or not to rivet" that is a judging question. If you plan on having the car judged and you want as many points as you can get, go with rivets and find some NOS ball joints. The ball joints are available because I run across them from time to time. I am not certain whether NCRS is looking at replacement vs original looking ball joints and deducting points accordingly. Regards, Terry

[Patrick H.]

Re: Ball Joint Rivets

Joe,

Given the extreme cost of NOS ball joints, I'm not sure that for the couple of points it's worth it, judged or not. I believe that sets of uppers OR lowers go for hundreds of dollars. Spending $1000 for example on 2-4 points borders on the ridiculous, in my thought. Assuming $1000 for parts, if it's 4.5 points, you car would have to be worth $1 million on a per-point basis; $500,000 if it's 2.25 points. Spend $500 for parts and you're down to $225,000 car, on a per-point basis.

Let's see...my 71 small block coupe is worth about $23-25k restored...NOPE. Not gonna happen. How 'bout them Moogs?

Patrick

[Rob A.]

Re: Ball Joint Rivets

If you do decide to have them rivetted on, check recent archives regarding this subject. There have been some regarding a couple of shops that did a poor job of it, and the owner had to have them removed and redone. The name(s) of the shops are included in the postings.

[Terry M.]

Re: Ball Joint Rivets

I believe even NOS ball joints (or Ball Studs as Chevrolet calls them, love that term ) have a detectable difference in configuration. I believe only originally installed ball studs have the unthreaded lead portion of the stud that allows the alignment fixture access to the part.
I don't generally judge the chassis, but conversations with chassis judges indicate they use this portion of the stud as their determinant of degree of originality. The rivets, or lack of them, would just be another portion of the configuration axis.
On the other hand, as Patrick points out, there are only a few points assigned to the ball studs anyway.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Ball Joint Rivets

Had to use some of your "points per dollar" argument for this one.

Patrick

[Terry M.]

Well done Patrick *NM*

[Bryan L.]

Re: Ball Joint Rivets..Van Steele

did some for me this summer. I was lucky enough to have NOS upper and I used Moog/TRW replacement lowers. Their work was flawless, cost just a little over 50.00 plus shipping both ways.

BL

[Joe S.]

Re: Ball Joint Rivets..Van Steele

Thanks all... I think at this point my plan is to get a front-end rebuild kit and bolt them in. What is currently on the car are replacements. Don't know what kind. But they had already been replaced and bolted in.

I also believe the right lower control arm had been replaced at one point as the lower shock mount bolts require nuts. The nuts are not welded into the control arm. (Anyone ever heard of these breaking off - would seem strange though being the left side is correct and both bolts on the right side require nuts).

Thanks again




Joe's 63 FI Convertible

[Tracy C.]

More of the Beast Mr. Mikey?

It's post like this that give the Dipstick all the ammunition he needs...

If I were you, I'd delete these before he see them.

Merry Christmas